A biologist once experimented with what he called "processional
caterpillars". He lined up caterpillars on the rim of a pot that held
a plant so that the lead caterpillar was head to tail with the last
caterpillar, with no break with the parade. The tiny creatures walked around
the rim of the pot for a full week before they died of exhaustion and
starvation. Not once did any of the caterpillars break out of the line and
venture over into the plant to eat. Food was only inches away, but the follow
the leader instinct was even stronger than the drive to eat and survive!

When we find ourselves in the rut, we do well to ask ourselves these three
questions:

1. Is this rut is my own making? We tend to choose a rut because itís comfortable
and requires no risk. To get out of a rut, make new choices.

2. Who am I following? We adopt certain patterns in our lives because
someone has taught them to us directly or by example. Make sure you are
following good leaders; don't simply follow the crowd.

3. Where am I going ? Ruts develop when we
lose a sense of vision of our lives... When we are
"just traveling" through life and not attempting to arrive at a
destination. Goals take you somewhere!

"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd"